Big TV actors decide to jump ship early

The 2013-2014 TV season is looking a little bit emptier thanks to some high-profile exits.

First off, Donald Glover is leaving “Community” because FREE TEARS FOR EVERYONE! But no, he’s currently developing a musical-themed comedy for the FX channel, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He’ll have a recurring role in the show’s fifth season.

Cote de Pablo has also decided to jump on the quit train and announced she will be departing “NCIS” after eight years. How the crime drama will fare after her departure is anyone’s guess.

And in another CBS show departure, Amanda Righetti and Owain Yeoman will be exiting “The Mentalist” as Season 6 nears its end, according to TV Line. There are murmurs their departure may coincide with the reveal of Red John. *Cue dramatic music*

Finally, in what happens to be big bummer on the awesome party that is “Parks and Recreation”, Rob Lowe and Rashida Jones will be leaving the show partway through the sixth season. Jones is reportedly teaming up with a “Parks and Recreation” writer to create a new FOX comedy called “Stuck”, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

While we wait for all those new projects, check out the gallery below for other big-name actors who left their TV shows a bit early.

Photo: Theo Wargo / Getty Images

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Topher Grace is best known for his role as Eric Forman, the leading role in “That ‘70s Show”. Grace decided to jump ship after the show’s seventh season to pursue a film career. He later starred in “Spiderman 3” as Eddie Brock/Venom, though his film career never really took off in comparison to his cast members, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. less

Topher Grace is best known for his role as Eric Forman, the leading role in “That ‘70s Show”. Grace decided to jump ship after the show’s seventh season to pursue a film career. He later starred in ... more

Photo: Theo Wargo / Getty Images

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Ron Howard was Ritchie Cunningham on “Happy Days” for seven seasons before finally deciding to take on a directing career. “Happy Days” lasted four more seasons before it finally ended. Howard went on to direct a number of films, like "Apollo 13", and is the executive producer behind "Arrested Development". less

Ron Howard was Ritchie Cunningham on “Happy Days” for seven seasons before finally deciding to take on a directing career. “Happy Days” lasted four more seasons before it finally ended. Howard went on ... more

Photo: Dario Cantatore / Getty Images

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In what was most likely her highest-profile acting job yet, Katherine Hiegl signed on to portray Dr. “Izzie” Stevens in the ABC medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy”. Hiegl left in 2010, wanting to spend more time with her family. less

In what was most likely her highest-profile acting job yet, Katherine Hiegl signed on to portray Dr. “Izzie” Stevens in the ABC medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy”. Hiegl left in 2010, wanting to spend ... more

Photo: Jason Merritt / Getty Images

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Shelley Long won Emmy and Golden Globe awards for her role as Diane Chambers in the 80s sitcom “Cheers” before she left after the show’s fifth season because of disputes with cast members and producers. Though her departure was significant, the show went on for six more seasons, inspiring several spinoffs, including the hit NBC comedy “Frasier”. Long has done other films and TV projects after “Cheers” and can be occasionally seen as DeDe Pritchett on the ABC sitcom “Modern Family”. less

Shelley Long won Emmy and Golden Globe awards for her role as Diane Chambers in the 80s sitcom “Cheers” before she left after the show’s fifth season because of disputes with cast members and producers. ... more

Photo: NBC / NBC via Getty Images

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George Clooney’s breakout performance would come in 1994 when he was cast on the popular NBC medical drama “ER”, playing Dr. Doug Ross. After earning numerous awards for his performance, Clooney ended his run after the fifth season. He went on to do the amazing “Batman and Robin” film and plenty more. less

George Clooney’s breakout performance would come in 1994 when he was cast on the popular NBC medical drama “ER”, playing Dr. Doug Ross. After earning numerous awards for his performance, Clooney ended ... more

Photo: JOE KLAMAR / AFP/Getty Images

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Michael J. Fox was already popular for films like “Back to the Future” and “Teen Wolf” and the TV sitcom "Family Ties" before he became Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty on the political comedy “Spin City”. Fox later quit after the fourth season, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. After several guest appearances and cameos on other shows, Fox is coming out of retirement with a new sitcom, “The Michael J. Fox Show”. less

Michael J. Fox was already popular for films like “Back to the Future” and “Teen Wolf” and the TV sitcom "Family Ties" before he became Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty on the political comedy “Spin ... more

Photo: CBS Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images

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Rob Lowe announced he was leaving “Parks and Recreation”, but this isn’t the first time he has left an NBC show. Aaron Sorkin fans remember Lowe for his role as Sam Seaborn on the political drama “The West Wing”. Lowe quit the series after much drama behind the scenes, particularly with the show’s creators and NBC executives. less

Rob Lowe announced he was leaving “Parks and Recreation”, but this isn’t the first time he has left an NBC show. Aaron Sorkin fans remember Lowe for his role as Sam Seaborn on the political drama “The ... more

Photo: NBC / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

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After leaving “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," Steve Carrell won over the hearts and minds of American audiences for his role as Michael Scott, the bumbling yet well-meaning boss in the American adaptations of “The Office”. Carrell shocked many when he announced he would not be renewing his contract after the show’s 2010-2011 season. He did make a cameo appearance for the series tear-jerking finale in May 2013 and has continued his film career. less

After leaving “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," Steve Carrell won over the hearts and minds of American audiences for his role as Michael Scott, the bumbling yet well-meaning boss in the American ... more

Photo: Jason Merritt / Getty Images

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Zach Braff got his start on the popular medical sitcom “Scrubs”, starring as the show’s main character J.D. Dorian. He earned numerous acting award nominations before finally calling it quits on the show’s eighth season. Much of the cast also departed soon after, and ABC finally cancelled the show on its ninth season. Braff is currently producing his film “Wish I Was Here”, a spiritual successor to his earlier film “Garden State”. less

Zach Braff got his start on the popular medical sitcom “Scrubs”, starring as the show’s main character J.D. Dorian. He earned numerous acting award nominations before finally calling it quits on the ... more

Photo: Bob D\'Amico / ABC via Getty Images

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Before David Caruso landed his legendary (and meme-worthy) role of Lieutenant Horatio Caine on the TV series “CSI: Miami”, he was Detective John Kelly on the ABC crime show “NYPD Blue”. He quit after the show’s first season to pursue a movie career which never really ... panned out. YEEEEEAAAAAAH! less

Before David Caruso landed his legendary (and meme-worthy) role of Lieutenant Horatio Caine on the TV series “CSI: Miami”, he was Detective John Kelly on the ABC crime show “NYPD Blue”. He quit after ... more

Photo: CBS Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images

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Christopher Meloni put 12 years of his life into “Law and Order: SVU” before announcing he would not return for the show’s 13th season after having a dispute with producers over his contract. Since then, he made an appearance in the new Superman film “Man of Steel” and is starring as Roman in HBO’s vampire drama “True Blood”. less

Christopher Meloni put 12 years of his life into “Law and Order: SVU” before announcing he would not return for the show’s 13th season after having a dispute with producers over his contract. Since ... more

Photo: Fotos International / Getty Images

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Big TV actors decide to jump ship early

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(Ed. note: An earlier version of this gallery erroneously said Ron Howard starred on “Happy Endings,” and that he starred in, rather than directed “Apollo 13.” Both of these errors have been fixed.)